Tablet for CAD?

[doimus]

Are graphic tablets (ie. Wacom) adequate for CAD drafting?

 

I need a silent input device for my notebook as I often work in public spaces such as university libraries etc.

It also has to have small footprint on the desk, for obvious reasons.

 

I'm considering Wacom Graphire for start and I would like to know how it handles CAD drafting (in AutoCAD)? Also, how does it compensate for the usual "mouse tricks", like scrolwheel zooming etc.?

 

Anyone using tablet for CAD?

[pailhead]

I don't think they are. A mouse is far more precise when it comes to CAD drafting, i'm not sure if you could ever get used to doind that with a tablet, at least i never tried.

[gookeeper]

Nope not me

 

i saw a couple about 10 years ago sitting on a shelf gathering dust at an old company, so im guessing they are not practical enough.

[mattclasvegas]

My Wacom sits on my desk waiting for Photoshop duty. For everything else it isn't as accurate or as a nice optical mouse (and Wacom's 3d mouse is horrible).

My main issue with the Tablet is that a mouse has so many buttons and the scroll wheel which is far more flexible than the tablet for everyday work.

 

We have only on person who has switched over to the Wacom for everything, but she doesn't do any 3D stuff. Nearly everyone else uses them for Photoshop only or as a paper weight.

 

matt

[TheAllusionisst]

In the good old days we used digitizer tablets with a 16 button mouse, far superior method compared to a mouse, but expensive and took up a lot of space. With the pen/stylus, you would be hurting missing three buttons. I recently got a very cool Toshiba notebook/convertable tablet computer where you actually draw on the screen, it can be used as a regular notebook PC or folds into a tablet sketch pad, probably not great for CAD but I can work on graphics at airports, in the car, on the plane........... very handy.

[Frosty]

I think it all boils down to preference. I know many people who use a tablet for everything...PS, Cad, 3D. Everything. Its what they find most comfortable.

 

Personally, I use a Belkin Speed Pad in my left hand (custom mapped to each app) and a MS mouse in my right (also custom mapped).

 

It wasnt easy getting used to a unique input device. For a while i had to conciously think about which finger to move. I'm sure my friends with the tablets felt the same way. I think that a trackball is the best input device for the mobile user. No mousing surface? No problem.

 

Whichever device(s) you choose, just give yourself enough time to adapt to the strengths of it.

[Jonny English]

Interesting point about the Belkin Speed Pad. I haven't come across it before.

 

I am trying out a 3D Connexion Speedpilot, but just can't get to grips with it.

 

I feel I need something to take the strain off my right hand (I suffer from RSI).

 

Any other ideas???

 

Anyone use any interesting combination with a mouse?